Nottingham's finest? Quite possibly - I've known people who take the short train ride from the main station out to Beeston just to enjoy this Victorian railway hotel which has won pretty much every accolade going. Many old school drinkers will be mightily relieved to learn that despite the fact this place take its food seriously, it takes beer just as seriously and doesn't have that oh-so irritating air of pretentiousness which makes many gastropubs so off-putting if you're just looking for a drink. It helps that the place is spacious (including a big beer garden cum heated smoking area), and that's just as well since it gets pretty full at meal times; but such attractions as 20 different real ales (including plenty of good local stuff such as Castle Rock's range) a singular ambience, a ban on mobile phones, a fire on cold days, quirks such as the shrine to the deceased pub dog and a loyal clientele make it the sort of local everyone would love to have round the corner. If you don't live in this part of Beeston (and you're not missing anything there, trust me), well... there's always the train. We've heard rumours that its proximity to the station attracts a few trainspotters, but console yourself that it should be easy enough to avoid them.

The Victoria Hotel is arguably one of the finest pubs you are likely to find. What makes this place so good is that they simply provide what the customer wants. An excellent range of real ales, exceptional food and all the atmosphere of a 'real' pub. With so many pubs losing the plot these days when it comes to variety, quality and service, the Victoria functions like a well-oiled machine without losing the key ingredients that make it seriously worth a visit.